ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: What changes can India make to their XI for their next clash against Pakistan?

After a dominating win in the first game, the Indian women will now lock horns with the Pakistan women’s cricket team in their next game of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The match between the teams will be played at the R Premdasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (5th October).

India Women, who are looked favourites to win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, have looked in good touch. They would be keen to win their next game against Pakistan. Also, they will have a point to prove because of the tensions between the two.

With the IND-W vs PAK-W game around the corner, we take a look at the changes India women can make to their XI. India can look to add Renuka Singh in place of Kranti Gaud in the side. The latter had a decent outing with the ball but was very poor in the field. 

Hence, the team can bring experienced player Renuka Singh in the XI for the game against Pakistan. Rest, the team is expected to continue with the same XI. They would be keen to carry on their good start and win their next game. 

India starts the ICC Women’s World Cup on a high note

While the hype of the domestic season in Indian cricket is high, Indian women started the ICC Women’s World Cup on a high note. They beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs in a rain-affected opening game of the tournament at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati.

India had a poor start to their innings as Smriti Mandhana, who was in form, got out for eight. However, after that, Pratika Rawal (37) and Harleen Deol (48) brought her team back in the game, adding 67 for the second wicket. Just when it seemed the Indian innings were on track, they faced a collapse in the middle and were reduced to 124 for six. 

With the team under immense pressure, Deepti Sharma (53) and Amanjot Kaur (57) bailed the team out of trouble with their 103-run partnership for the ninth wicket with both batters hitting a ton. 

In the end, Sneh Rana (28*) finished the innings on a high as India Women ended with a total of 269 for eight, with the target getting revised to 272 due to DLS.

Sri Lanka Women had a decent start to the chase even though they lost Hasini Perera early. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (43) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (29) played well for their 52-run stand for the second wicket. Indian spinners then pulled back things brilliantly as Sri Lanka were reduced to 140 for six from 82 for one. 

Nilakshi de Silva (35) played a decent hand as well under pressure but Sneh Rana got better off her in the end. India ended Sri Lanka’s innings on 211 and won the game by 59 runs. 

Also Read: India's Smriti Mandhana on the verge of etching Her Name in History Books Against Pakistan in Women's World Cup, huge record to be broken